It has taken weeks, and months, and at least the first three games of the season – maybe more - for Oregon State senior outside linebacker Keith Pankey to feel like the player he was before he tore his achilles.

After some shaky early games following recovery from an achilles tear, OLB Keith Pankey is looking good on a revived OSU defense

Now it appears he’s playing his best football as the Beavers prepare for Saturday’s must-win game against Washington State.

“I do feel like I’m a little more confident,’’ he said. “I think it’s kind of like my character, to always be working and always be hungry to get better.’’

“People ask me if I want to go to (the NFL) and I tell them it doesn’t matter to me. I want to be the best college football player I can be for our team,’’ said Pankey, the team’s third-leading tackler.

“I want to help our team win games.’’

The OSU defense has taken its knocks this season, but the first-team pitched a shutout against Cal and only allowed two touchdowns at UCLA.

It has been a different unit since allowing Washington to run up a 21-0 first-half lead at Husky Stadium on Oct. 16.

More aggressive.

Still allowing a lot of yards, but embracing a “bend, don’t break’’ philosophy.

“I’m proud of the way we’ve been playing, and the way we’ve been practicing,’’ said Pankey.

“I think we’re finally starting to understand how good we can be. And we’re certainly not perfect. If I make a play, or we make one or two plays, then the Washington game (a 35-34 two overtime loss) is different. And two or three plays was the difference at UCLA.’’

Pankey says anyone who thinks Oregon State is unraveling after the last-second UCLA loss doesn’t know the program. “It’s frustrating to be that close in a couple games. It’s what if, what if, what if,’’ he said.

“We’ve had a tough season, and we’ve had some tough things happen to us. There’s been some adversity but we’re still focused, and driven, and committed to work.’’

A warning about WSU: Pankey knows many Oregon State fans think the Beavers are practically getting a bye this week.

OSU is favored by three touchdowns against a Cougars’ team that has lost 16 straight Pac-10 games.

“You know what, that’s where fans get it wrong,’’ said Pankey. “It just doesn’t work that way. Any team can come down here and beat us. If you don’t prepare for them, they’ll beat you.’’

Thursday practice notes: If defensive tackle Brennan Olander will have surgery or not is still up in the air. Riley said on Tuesday that Olander, a senior, was discussing it with family and doctors. If Olander elects to skip surgery there is a chance he could play in OSU's last couple games this season ... Tight end Brady Camp will play Saturday, which should add depth to the position. That's got to be a relief for Riley, who has watched other positions get thinner and thinner as the season goes on. Camp said on Tuesday that he thinks his return will only help OSU because other tight ends stepped up in his place, which should mean that overall, the offense is better. "That's a good attitude by Brady," Riley said. "He's the most veteran guy we have at that position, and he did a good job of coaching those guys up when he was gone. I think he's right in the end -- we should be stronger for it."

Riley was asked about Veterans' Day, and if it evokes any special meaning or feelings for him: "The number of our service men and women who are overseas right now kinda remind us all of the ones who were in the past ... We forget, once in a while, to be forever thankful that the reason we get to do this stuff is because of our country and the people who protect it. My dad (Bud) Riley actually left high school early and got into the U.S. Navy and was on the USS San Diego. He was in the Philippines and all that arena during the second World War."